Is Havana Night Indy's Next Latin Hit?

It is very rare to become a hit success over night when it comes to running a Salsa night. I have seen a handfull of Latin/Salsa venues start up with great potential, only to see them close after a month or two of operation. Running a Salsa night is not an easy task and takes hard work, sacrifice, and having a few friends in the community to be successful.

IndySalsa’s Havana Night was first launched at Radio Radio in Fountain Square. Our opening night, in my opinion, was successful - our attendance was great and we were given compliments in regards to venue and music selection. While Radio Radio was an ideal venue, we decided to look for another venue due to the fact that we would not be able to reserve every Friday night. So we decided to move Havana Night to the Savoy. The Savoy, being an upscale and classy venue, was a perfect home for Havana, but our kickoff party which had a good turn out, paled in comparison to Radio Radio. There were various reasons - one being the kickoff of another Friday Salsa venue, winter weather and student dancers getting ready for finals (my dance partner was one of them).

You either sink or swim at this point, I thought to myself. We focused on promotions and other activities like expanding our music selection and bringing in live entertainment. In conjunction with AlexAlex Events, we brought in a live Salsa band from Cincinnati, which was received very well by the community. After a couple of months, Havana Night began to gain momentum and is becoming a popular night for both the salsa dancers and for the Hispanic community.

While Havana Night was not an overnight success, the venue is heading in the right direction. Our attendance has been growing at a rate faster than I had expected, and every night becomes more and more enjoyable and memorable. We have big plans for Havana’s future, look forward to seeing live bands from all around the Midwest, fun theme parties (check out our Blue Friday party), AlexAlex on the mic and Indy’s Salsa dancers heating up the dance floor every Friday night.

So where will you be dancing on Friday night?

Category: [IndySalsero-news]

The Salsa Experiment

Here is another high energy salsa video clip with sound effects for added effect! The clip is called the 'Salsa Experiment' and is performed by Ed and Stephanie, two exceptional dancers. I have never heard of the couple, but after watching the video, they certainly look like professional salsa dancers. There is also a downloadable video clip available for those who would like to steal a move or two from them.

Category: [IndySalsero-videos]

My 2006 New Year's Resolution Rant

Well, it is the start of a new year and it is time to make unrealistic resolutions, right? I am going to hop onto my soap box for a moment and say that self improvement is an ongoing and never-ending process. I was at the gym (I am typically there at least once a week) and it was packed! Was this to my surprise? Of course not! To get in shape is the #2 most popular New Year’s resolution. The other 9 are not at all that surprising either. All I am trying to get at is why use the excuse that it is January 1st to improve your life. Self improvement and reflection should be done on an ongoing basis so that we don’t let things like our health, love or finances go unchecked.

OK, let’s say you make a resolution to find a hobby (#9). You pick skiing for example, and you go out there on the slopes and discover that you do not like the cold. Typically that resolution will die out because there is no periodic check and you would have forgotten that you even made the resolution. Why not make a resolution and perform a quarterly review to insure that you are on the right path? If skiing does not work, your quarterly review will tell you to find another hobby. Then you find this interesting hobby called salsa dancing and fall in love happily ever after.

Now, why not have this quarterly review to check everything that is going on in your life. Hence you are now in a state of constant self improvement and when 2007 comes around you find that life is in order and you can kiss the New Year’s resolution nonsense goodbye.

So when people ask me what is my resolution for 2006, I tell them that I do not have one, but I have been working on balancing my work, IndySalsa and love since way before the start of the new year. So Indy, what do you think about the whole New Year’s resolution hype? Did you make one? Did you accomplish the one you set in 2005? Do you even remember your resolution from 2005? I am anxious to hear your answers.

If you cannot think of a good and worthwhile resolution, let modern technology generate one for you.

The 2006 New Year's Resolution Generator

In the year 2006 I resolve to: Teach my dog to fly. Get your resolution here

Category: [IndySalsero-rants]